Massage applicator



Dec. 1925' E B, ALLEN MASSAGE APPLICA'LGR Filed Nov, l. 1924 Patented Dec. 1, 1925.

Uurrrfznl ASTATES PATENT OFFICE.

lnnvvamr) n. ALLEN, or NEWTOWN, coNNEcTIcUT.

MASSAGE APPLICATOR.

Application led November 1,1924. Serial No. 747,172.

Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Massage Applicators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings;

"This invention has for an object to provide an applicatorwhich is especially adapted for use with soap as in softening the beard preparatory to shaving, `and which may be readily cleaned and easily maintained in a sanitary condition.v g

Another object of the invention is to provide an applicator which will effectively soften the beard under a light rubbing action and without injury to the skin.

A further object of `the invention is to provide an applicator having a hand-grip and afplurality of readily removable tubular elastic tips which may be replaced by a set of refill tips, `supplied separately for replace- [ment purposes, when the orio'inal tips become worn or lose their elasticity.

Still further, the-invention has for an object to provide a massage applicator which will act to cleanse the pores of the skin and maintain the latter in a healthy condition.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an applicator which is of simplified construction enabling it to be manufactured at low cost.

To this attainment of the ends in view, the Ipresent applicator is constructed with two separable members which are preferably stamped in one piece from sheet-metal stock. The head is preferably apertured to receive a set of removable and replaceable tubular rubbing tips of a `soft resilient material such as rubber. The tubular rubbing tips are each preferably formed separately at one end with a collar which is held seated upon the upper face of the aperturcd member by means of the backing member which closes the upper ends of the tips, preferably sealing and converting such tips into vacuum cu-ps. By loosening suitable releasable connecting means such as a single thumb-screw, the back member may be readily removed, thus permitting the hollow tips to be readily cleaned by running water through them. The tips may also be removed from their supporting head.

For use as a beard softener, the applicator-head is preferably made in the shape of an isosceles triangle, the base of which is at the free or extreme end of the-head and is transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the lhandle. The sides of the triangular head slope together from the ends of the base' toward the handle. The rubbing tips are preferably'arranged in rows parallel to the sides of the applicator-head and, by virtue of this arrangement, the rubbing of the lface up to the horizontal hair line in front of the ears is facilitated. The corners of the head also facilitate rubbing the spaces on the upper lip below the nose.

In the accompanying drawings,

device embodying the invention.; Fig.A 2 is a longitudinal Isection through the rubbing head of the device.` Figs.V 3 and 4 are, re-

spectively, bottom and top plan views of theare blanked integral from sheet-.metal stock..

The blank is subjected to a forming operation in suitable dies which round over the edge 3 ofthe head and handle and stiden them. The head 1 is preferably made in the shape of an isosceles triangle having its base 4L, Fig. 4, at right angles to the longitudinal center line of the head and handle. The sides 5, 5 of the head slope inwardly toward the reduced neck 6 at the juncture of the head and handle. The handle is preferably formed adjacent the neck 6 with the opposed lateral projections 7, 8 which assist the user in obtaining a firm and comfortable grip on the device, as will be explained.

The head 1 is shown as formed with a plurality of apertures 9, Fig. 5, in which are inserted a set of tubular rubbing tips 10 made of a soft elastic material such as rubber. The tips 10 are open at both ends and are shown formed at their base ends with enlarged portions or collars 11 which afford seats resting upon the upper surface of the head 1-, as shown best in Fig. 2. A backplate 12 of the same shape as the head 1 is pressed down upon the collared ends of the tips l() by the centrally disposed thumbscrew 13 which passes through the aperture 14 in the back-plate and is threaded into the aperture 15 in the head 1.

Fig. 1 isy a side elevation of an applicator or rubbing Vao By tightening the thumb-screw 13 the plate 1,2 is caused to compress orusqueeze and tight-lyseal the c olla'red endsof the tips 10, thereby converting such tips into vacuum rubbing tips. The ybaclrplate v12 is'formed With a downturned and curved tongue 16 which is inserted in the aperture 17 in the neck 6 to assist in properly locating the back-plate relative to the head 1. The head of the screw 13 is preferably concaved as shown I'at 1.8 Yto serve as a rest for the foreinger of the user; the thumb being pressed againstrone of the projections'?, Sand the middle finger crooked around the other of such projections. With this grip, both sides of the face-,may be rubbed with equal facility and rWithouttiring effort, Without changingy the device from one hand kto theother.

It Will be observed that the tips 10 are arranged in rows substantially parallel lto the sides L and 5 ofthe head 1. This ar-` rangement facilitates rubbing` up to .the horizontal hair line in front of the ears, and in rubbing the upperlip adjacent vthe nose.

After lathering the yface,-a few moments of gentle rubbing -by the present applicator effectively softens the beard, enabling the user to quickly secure .a smooth and close shave Without the discomforts commonly attendant upon shaving, such as the pulling of the beard and the,l irritation of the skin by the razor. lThe device'is also useful in massaging the face and cleansing the pores oftheskin. i" l The device may vbe easily .and vthoroughly cleaned by removing the back-,plate 12' and running Water through the'tips-10. AWhen the latter ybecome Worn or lose their 'elas ticity, they may be replaced byaset ofreill tips which may be sold separately from the device is susceptible of material modification within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is- 1.` In a device of the class described, the combination with as fplate -,having a plurality o f apertures, of a pluralityofleXibIe tubularrubbingtipsopen atboth endsand Aformed with enlarged portions at their base ends, said-tips -beinginserted in saidapertures and projected outwardly from one side of said plate and l,having .their enlarged `portions disposed inengagement with the other side of said plate, a backingmember closing Vthe enlarged ends of said tips. r.and Vreadily releasahle means connecting said plate and backing ,member in assembled relation, said meansV permitting ready removal of said backing member for cleaning ,or removal of said tips.

vif. In a device of the class described, the combination with .a head Vhaving .a plurality of apertures, of a plurality of .elastic rubbing tips projecting through said apertures and formed yWith collars at theirinner ends, a backing *member in engagement with the collared ends of said tips, and a screw disposed substantially centrally" of said `head and connecting the latter With said backplate. T*

In testimony lwhereof, I have signed my name'to this specification.

EDWARD B. ALLEN, 

